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Home , Ana Sora, Anchar, Badessa, Bale Zone, Bila Seyo, Bule Hora Town

IDP Situation Report May 2019

Highlights

• Government return operations continue at full scale and sites are being dismantled. • Where security is assured and rehabilitation support provided, IDPs have opted to return to their areas of origin. IDPs who still feel insecure and have experienced trauma prefer to relocate elsewhere or integrate within the community. Management of IDP preferences differs in every IDP caseload. • There is minimal to no assistance in areas of return. Local authorities have requested international partner sup- port to address the gap. Meanwhile, public-private initiatives continue to fundraise for the rehabilitation of IDPs. • The living condition of the already vulnerable host communities has deteriorated having shared their limited resources with the IDPs for over a year. I. Displacement context

Government IDP return operations have been implemented at full scale since early May 2019 following the 8 April 2019 announcement of the Federal Government’s Strategic Plan to Address Internal Displacement and a costed Re- covery/Rehabilitation Plan. By end May, most IDP sites/camps were dismantled, in particular in East/West Wollega and Gedeo/West Guji zones. Humanitarian partners have increased their engagement with Government at all levels aiming to improve the implementation of the Government return operation, in particular advocating for the returns to happen voluntarily, in safety, sustainably and with dignity.

Overall, humanitarian needs remain high in both areas of displacement and of return. Most assistance in displace- ment areas is disrupted following the mass Government return operation and the dismantling of sites, while assis- tance in areas of return remain scant to non-existent, affecting the sustainability of the returns. The majority of the returnees require assistance pending full recovery and rehabilitation of damaged houses, properties and livelihoods. This calls for continued humanitarian assistance in the interim and a scaled-up recovery and rehabilitation support in the large areas where this kind of support is viable. Secondary displacements of returnees have been reported in most areas of East and West Wollega zones due to lack of assistance and insecurity in areas of return. In other areas of the country where returns have taken place, most IDPs have returned to their damaged homes or to areas nearby.

Oromia and Somali regions host the largest number of displaced population followed by Tigray and Amhara regions that have far smaller IDP caseload, according to DTM. While 80 per cent of the IDPs are living with the host commu- nity, 20 per cent are sheltered in sub-standard collective sites/camps. The two major recent displacements (Gedeo/ West Guji and Benishangul Gumuz/Wollegas), where there is a greater focus and the situation is still volatile, con- stitute 31 per cent of the total IDP caseload. The remaining 69 per cent are in areas with fewer reported constraints (security, access, services). Where security is assured and rehabilitation support provided, most IDPs opt to return to their areas of origin. IDPs who still feel insecure and have experienced trauma prefer to relocate elsewhere or integrate within the community.

The Government’ and partners’ primary goal with regards to the IDP crisis in the country has been to provide lifesav- ing assistance where needed, and to facilitate durable solutions, preferably in areas of origin. However, severe funding constraints have negatively impacted sustainable solutions of the current crisis. There is a need for an immediate scale up of support for the most vulnerable irrespective of their categorization and location.

1 II. Displacement hotspots, needs, response, gaps

Overall, given the large number of IDPs, the high volatility of the situation and the vast expanse of area where returns are happening, it is still very difficult to provide a general and accurate picture, not least due to the specificity of lo- calized reality, return process and experience.

Gedeo and West Guji

As of 22 May, Gedeo zonal government reports indicate that some 320,000 IDPs have returned IDPs by woreda

from Gedeo to West , the majority from Dila City Admin 14 - 1,500 woreda, while nearly 20,000 IDPs have re- 1,501 - 4,000 turned from West Guji to . But there 4,001 - 10,000 are still discrepancies in the official return figures Gedeo Yirgachefe Town 10,001 - 12,518 provided by the zones. The fact that the large ma- Yirgachefe (West Guji) jority of the returnees moved in with host com- Returnees by zone munities might be one explanation for the dis- Kochere Gedeb crepancies. Site Management Support (SMS) team reported Birbirsa Kojowa that 16 sites were closed in Gedeo zone (Gedeb Town woreda: Asgori, Chichu Buna Gebeya, Dibandibe, Suro Berguda Bule Hora Gedeb Dadatu Harojitu School, Gedeb Dadatu West Guji Melka Soda Harojitu Mender, Kalehiwot Kifle Mahber, Roho- Dawa bot Church, Kalehiwot Church, Konasho, Maze- gaja Maekel, Mekaneyesus Church, TVET college and Warka Health Center. Yirgachfe woreda: Yirgachefe Stadium); and 20 sites closed in West 37K Guji zone (Kercha woreda: Banko Korke, Ilala, Borotu Irba, Birhanehiwot Church, Bukisa Kalehiwot Church, Dobi kalehiwot Church, FTC Site 1, Goro Ad- min Office, Goro Dugo, Koke Gaba Buna, Kebele Office Suke Chiga, Kebele Office Ela Farda Badia, Mechaneyesus Church, Lami Irba Office, Lami kercha Office, Worko Kalehiwot Church and Zemach kalehiwot Church. Bule Hora woreda: Gadu Jaba Kebele Office) as of 22 May. Some vulnerable groups (the elderly, the sick, pregnant mothers) are reportedly allowed to stay in the site, including in Chelechele (210 people), Hawariat Church (15 households),

Mokonisa (10 households), Youth Centre (200 people), as well as very fewSherkole people in Kalehiwot Kifle Mahber, Kidus Keranyo and Spring sites. Sodal/Sirba Abay

Homosha IDPs by woreda Returns continue amidst reports of minimal to no assistance in areasAsosa of return. While the vast majority of the re- 26 - 1,500 turnees have reportedly gone back to their respective houses or lands and Odaliving Bilidigilu in makeshift shelters, fewIbantu IDPsKiremu are Assosa temporarily sheltered in collective sites in return areas. 1,501 - 4,000 Gida Ayana Agalometi 4,001 - 9,701 Mendi Town Haro Limu Limu Sibu The Government has been providing limited food and non-food supplies in Kiltureturn Kara areas.Kemashi Local authorities have West Wellega Leta Sibu East Wellega Returnees between zones requested international partner support to address the gap. In Gedeo zone, the WaSHNejo Cluster, Town in collaboration with Babo Belojiganfo the SMS team, agreed to start de-commissioning stances of latrineGudetu in all Kondole sites in GedebBoji and Dirmeji Yirgachefe. ContinuingBila Seyo Begi Returnees within the zone GulisoBoji Chekorsa WaSH activities in return areas is also crucial given the ongoing rainy season and theLalo high Asabi risk for a choleraGuto Gida and Ayira TownGimbi Town Sibu other outbreaks. The health and nutrition clusters will continue nutrition screening and treatmentHoma activities to avert Sire Gaji Wayu Tuka further spikes in malnutrition in the zone. WFP has prepositioned supplies to treat moderate malnutritionLeka Dulecha for the Boneya Boshe Nole Wama next six months. JEOP has been providing food for 436,000 beneficiaries (IDPs/ReturneesNole andKaba HRP) in Gedeo. HagaloThe second round distribution will start upon the completion of the joint targeting exercise for returnees. TheJimma agriculture Arjo and education clusters are also considering farming supplies support and renovation of damaged schools respective- ly, but lack of funding is limiting their intervention so far. Meanwhile, the Gedeo zone authorities informed that there are 8,056 damaged houses that need rehabilitation support. The ES/NFI Cluster indicated a capacity to support the reconstruction of 6,858 and to provide 3000 shelter materials immediately.

In , CRS (in Bule Hora) and IOM (in Kercha woreda) have started the reconstruction of 500 damaged

2 IDPs by woreda

Dila City Admin 14 - 1,500 Abaya houses each, this project has started before the current return Dilaoperation. Zuria JEOP food distribution1,501 - 4,000 is ongoing in the Wenago zone but based on the caseload prior to the returns. Discussions areBule ongoing on possible joint4,001 targeting- 10,000 for returnees. While sites have been emptied, de-commissioning activities haveGedeo not started yet. Meanwhile, UNDP launched its Yirgachefe Town 10,001 - 12,518 Recovery and Rehabilitation Program on 29 and 30 May inYirgachefe Bule Hora, West Guji zone. The program aims to under- Gelana (West Guji) Kochere take several activities to support the rehabilitation of the returnee population in West Guji zone,Returnees including by zone house re- construction and peace building activities. The program will run forHambela three Wamena years until 2022. Public-private initiatives Kochere Gedeb also continue to fundraise for the rehabilitation of IDPs in both Gedeo and West Guji. Kercha

At least 690,364 people were displaced by the Gedeo/West Guji communalBirbirsa Kojowa conflict since April 2018, including

374,872 in Gedeo and 315,492 in West Guji. While the largeBule Horamajority Town of the IDPs have been living with host com- munities, only 21 per cent have been living in 94 collectiveSuro Berguda centers/campsBule Hora (92,939 IDPs in Gedeo and 54,078 in West Guji). The living condition of the already vulnerable host Westcommunities Guji has deteriorated having shared their limited resources with the IDPs for over a year. Melka Soda

Benishangul Gumuz and East-West Wollega

As of 21 May, 51,120 IDPs in West Wollega zone reportedly returned to Benishangul Gumuz and 24,404 IDPs re- turned to border areas of West Wollega zone, making it 90 per cent of the targeted (83,269) IDPs for return. IDP 37K sites are dismantled. The security situation in a number of woredas in West Wollega zone continues to be volatile, hampering full and continuous hu- manitarian access.

Similarly in East Wollega, zonal au- thorities reported that 89,265 IDPs were returned to their areas of origin Kurmuk within region (along the re- Sodal/Sirba Abay gional boundary with Benishangul Homosha Menge IDPs by woreda Gumuz) as of 20 May. An additional 26 - 1,500 26,985 persons(13,361 female) were Oda Bilidigilu Kiremu Yaso Assosa 1,501 - 4,000 also returned from East Hararge to Gida Ayana Agalometi 4,001 - 9,701 Yaso and Belojegenfoy woredas of Bambasi Mendi Town Haro Limu Limu in Benishangul Gu- Kemashi West Wellega Leta Sibu Nejo East Wellega Returnees between zones muz region as of the same date. Ac- Nejo Town Kamashi Babo Jarso Belojiganfo cording to East Wollega zone author- Gudetu Kondole Dirmeji Begi Returnees within the zone GulisoBoji Chekorsa ities, some 97 per cent of the targeted Sasiga Ayira Gimbi TownGimbi IDPs for return were returned. IDP Nekemte Town Sibu Gobu Seyo Sire Gaji Diga Wayu sites are being dismantled. Yubdo Haru Tuka Boneya Boshe Sayo Nole Wama Hagalo Nunu Kumba Meanwhile, there are already reports Arjo of secondary displacements where Gechi 1032 individuals reportedly went back to Sasiga woreda of East Wolle- ga zone after having been returned to Anger Shenkora kebele, Belojegenfoy woreda of Kamashi zone. They cite lack of assistance in areas of return and insecurity as their reason for opting for secondary displacement.

Similar to the Gedeo/West Guji situation, the returnees are mostly sheltered in sub-standard collective sites in areas of return or integrated with already poor host communities, pending rehabilitation support. Significant multi-sector needs were identified in assessed return areas. In parallel to engaging with authorities to improve and fast-track the implementation of the other components of the durable solutions strategy, including access to justice, reconciliation and recovery, life-saving assistance need to be urgently scaled up.

Prior to the return, localized inter-communal violence in Kamashi zone of Benishangul Gumuz region and in East and West Wollega zones of Oromia region at the end of September 2018 is believed to have displaced an estimated 250,000 people, the majority (120,000 IDPs) in East Wollega, followed by West Wollega (83,000 IDPs). The remain- ing IDPs were displaced internally in Kamashi zone. Only 27 per cent of the IDPs in East and West Wollega were

3 IDPs by woreda

14 - 1,500 1,501 - 4,000

Mirab Armacho 4,001 - 10,000 Tsegede 10,001 - 20,000 Tach Armacho Metema 20,001 - 51,656 Metema Yohanes Town in collective sites/camps and the rest were living with host communities. While some NGOs have had intermittent Gendawuha Town Kinfaz access to LayKamashi Armacho zone, the UN has notReturnees been withinable the to zone access the zone for the last eight months. UNDSS has now lifted Central the travelGonder ban City toAdm. the area. An inter-agency mission assessed needs of returned IDPs in East Wollega from 21 to 23 West Gondar Aykel Town West Belesa East Belesa Dembia MayWest 2019. TheGonder team Zuria identified several lifesaving as well as early recovery needs (farming tools, fertilizers and seeds,

Quara Takusashelter rehabilitation; and non-food items) critical to curtail the situation of secondary displacement. The IDPs re- ported challenges to access health services due to irregular services, long distances to reach the health facilities and lackAlfa of transport. Damaged WaSH facilities in areas of origin also need urgent repair. The assessment team advised that Government peacebuilding activities need to continue, including efforts to deepen community engagement aimed at creating social cohesion. Another inter-agency mission from Asossa, Benishangul Gumuz region is planned to visit Kamashi from 6 June.

Somali

An inter-agency ‘go and see’ mission in return areas in Dawa zone () witnessed the situation of some 22,708 displaced households that have re- turned closer to their areas of origin. Shortage of food has already led to high rates of severe and Siti moderate malnutrition, especially amongst chil- dren. The returnees areIDPs livingby woreda in makeshift and Fafan overcrowdedJarso (East ) shelter site and41 - 1,500 lack basic non-food Kersa (East Hararge) items. There is a marked 1,501absence - 4,000 of water purifi- (Oromia) Goro Muti cation chemicals, in the 4,001visited - 10,000 sites. People are Zuria Gumbi Bordede fetching water from unprotected10,001 - 20,000 water source IDPs by woreda KorichaBedesa Melka Balo East Hararge putting them at risk of water-related diseases. 313 - 1500 Midhaga Tola Babile (Oromia) 20,001 - 51,656 West Hararge Golo Oda Other basic facilities and services are also lacking 1501 - 4000 Meyu Muleke 4001 - 10000 Daro Lebu calling for urgent scaled upReturnees rehabilitation by zone and in- Daawa 10001 - 20000 Burqua Dhintu terim basic support. The 22,708 displaced house- Hawi Gudina holds in Dawa zone have spontaneously returned 20001 - 51656 Kumbi from their areas of displacement across the border Returnees by zone in Oromia over the past three months following peace initiatives between the Somali and Oromia regional governments.

A similar “go and see” mission in Fafan and Siti zones observed some 1,980 returned households. The mission iden- tified significant needs of the returnees, priority of which is shelter. In , plans are underway to relocate 82,830 IDPs (from Qoloji camps) based on intention surveys. In May 2019, the region mobilized ETB 71.1 million ($2.6 million) from the public, private sector and regional government to support IDP rehabilitation efforts.

Overall, IDPs are keen to return where community peace deals are sealed and where interim basic assistance is provided together with long term recovery support. Ongoing peace building initiatives between the Oromos and are encouraging returns.

Oromia

East and West Hararge zones

According to East Hararge zonal and Babile woreda authorities, at least 59,177 displaced people have returned to Babile woreda, including around 48,957 IDPs who were displaced within Babile woreda of East Hararge and an additional 10,2221 Somali IDPs who were also displaced from Babile woreda2 (returned from Dhandhama woreda of Somali re- gion). The return operation was preceded by two meetings conducted in followed by a peace conference held in the woreda on 27 February 2019. The return to Babile was reportedly completed by end April 2019. By mid-May, East Hararge zonal authorities reportedly returned 102,000 IDPs (of the 310,000 total IDPs reported by the zone and 240,000 IDPs according to DTM 16) throughout the zone.

Government preparations are also underway in West Hararge zone to resettle around 4,000 IDPs displaced from ur-

1 The Somali region reports 17,000 Somalis to have returned to Babile. 2 The figure shared by East Hararge zone is lower by some 5,000. 4 IDPs by woreda

14 - 1,500 1,501 - 4,000

Mirab Armacho 4,001 - 10,000 Tsegede 10,001 - 20,000 Tach Armacho Metema 20,001 - 51,656 Metema Yohanes Town Gendawuha Town Kinfaz Lay Armacho Wegera Returnees within the zone Chilga Central Gondar Gonder City Adm. West Gondar Aykel Town West Belesa East Belesa Dembia West Dembiya Gonder Zuria

Quara

Alfa

Siti ban cities of Somali region to Gumbi Bordode and

Mieso woredas of West Hararge zone. Peace confer- IDPs by woreda Fafan Chinaksen ences in Doba, Gumbi Bordode and Mieso woredas Jarso (East Hararghe) 41 - 1,500 Kombolcha Goro Gutu Meta are also underway to facilitate the return of 53,000 Doba Kersa (East Hararge) 1,501 - 4,000 Mieso Deder Kurfa Chele IDPs mainly from border kebeles of Dobba, Gumbi Tulo (Oromia) Goro Muti 4,001 - 10,000 Chiro Zuria Fedis Mesela Girawa Bordede and Miesso woredas. Following improve- Gumbi Bordede Bedeno 10,001 - 20,000 IDPs by woreda Goba KorichaBedesa Melka Balo East Hararge ments in the security, more than 54,000 IDPs from Gemechis 313 - 1500 Habro Midhaga Tola Babile (Oromia) 20,001 - 51,656 Anchar within the two woredas returned without any sup- West Hararge Golo Oda 1501 - 4000 Boke Kuni port (spontaneous/self-arranged) to Hawi Gudina Meyu Muleke 4001 - 10000 Daro Lebu Returnees by zone Daawa 10001 - 20000 and Daro Lebu woredas of West Hararge zone by Burqua Dhintu end of February. Hawi Gudina 20001 - 51656 Kumbi Returnees by zone Ongoing peace building initiatives between the Oromos and Somalis are encouraging returns. The return process in East and West Hararge zones seems to be better planned and implement- ed, with active partners involvement. Some partners are currently supporting return process, but overall, assistance to the returnees remains limited. Shelter, household items (including clothes) and productive assets are urgently needed at the household level, in parallel to the requirements related to public infrastructure rehabilitaion. Inade- quate support has contributed to malnutrition, health outbreak and protection challenges.

Bale and Guji zones

Bale zone hosts some 137,000 IDPs mainly in nine woredas, while Guji zone hosts around 60,000 Lege Hida

Gololcha Bale IDPs by woreda IDPs in four woredas. Government return op- IDPs by woreda North Western 54 - 1,500 erations are ongoing with limited success due to Eastern 23- 1,500 Town Ginir 1,501 - 4,000 Central persisting insecurity along the border with So- Goba Town Goro (Bale) 1,501 - 4,000 Goba Rayitu 4,001 - 10,000 Western mali region. Most of the IDP sites/camps in Bale Dawe Ketchen BaleLege Hida 4,001 - 7,513 10,001 - 20,000 Mekele Special and Guji zones are very far from health posts or Mena (Bale) Gura Damole Bale IDPs by woreda 20,001 - 28,256 IDPs by woreda Gasera North Western Agarfa 54 - 1,500 health centers. The only reported support is the South Eastern Eastern Adola Town Sinana Ginir Town Seweyna 23- 1,500 Dinsho Ginir 1,501 - 4,000 Central NGO-run mobile health and nutrition teams, Odo Goba Town Goro (Bale) 1,501 - 4,000 Guji Gora Dola Goba Rayitu 4,001 - 10,000 Western Aga Wayu Berbere Dawe Ketchen 4,001 - 7,513 which includes outreach. However, given the im- Negele /Town/ Bale Saba Boru 10,001 - 20,000 Southern Liben Mekele Special mensity of the areas hosting IDPs and the extent Bore Harena Buluk Mena (Bale) Gura Damole GumiAna Sora Idalo 20,001 - 28,256 Girja Uraga of needs, these activities are not sufficient. Insuffi- Adola South Eastern Adola Town Wadera Meda Welabu cient medical resources, security and logistics are Guji Gora Dola amongst key challenges reported in both zones. Aga Wayu Negele /Town/ Some 21,468 households in and 9,000 households in Guji zoneSaba Boru requireLiben shelter assistance. The construction Southern of IDP temporary houses are not yet completed, but the shelter materials Gumiprovided Idalo to the IDPs two years ago have deteriorated and are in deplorable shape.

Borena zone

Some 285,000 IDPs in five woredas of who were displaced fromElwaya in December 2018, returned to Town IDPs by woreda their places of origin. This was independently verified in three woredas. There are some anecdotalArero reports of people who Teltale Yabelo 54 - 1,500 remain displaced, however partners have been unable 1,501 - 4,000 Wachile Borena Dubluk Gomole to confirm their locations. In March 2019, some 4,000 4,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 16,184 IDPs were displaced into Elweye woreda along the Oro- Dilo Elwaya Dhas mia-SNNP boundary and are sheltered in four sites. Of Yabelo Town IDPs by woreda Teltale Dire Yabelo Moyale (Oromia) 54 - 1,500 the 4,000 IDPs displaced in Elweye woreda, an estimated Miyo 1,501 - 4,000 Wachile 2,500 IDPs (2 sites) returned to their areas of origin spon- Borena Dubluk Guchi 4,001 - 10,000 taneously. There has been no verification in their areas of 10,001 - 16,184 Dilo Dhas origin. Dire Moyale (Oromia) Miyo Overall, federal, zonal and woreda officials, together with community elders, religious leaders and political Guchi

5 activists, have had numerous peace conferences between Oromos and Somalis to ensure the safety and security of the returnees, with varying degrees of success.

Amhara

Following the launch of Government return operations, some 51,383 IDPs have returned (48 per cent of total case- load), including 43,778 IDPs in Central Gondar and 7,605 IDPs in West Gondar as of 20 May. Support to rehabilitate the returnees remains inadequate compared to needs. The Regional Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan estimates ETB 1.5 billion are needed for this purpose. ETB 600 million was pledged and over 50 pre cent mobilized from the private sector (through IDPs by woreda 14 - 1,500 pledges and cash donations). The Government is 1,501 - 4,000 Mirab Armacho 4,001 - 10,000 Tsegede currently rebuilding damaged houses in Central 10,001 - 20,000 Tach Armacho Metema 20,001 - 51,656 and West Gondar zones – the plan is to rebuild Metema Yohanes Town Gendawuha Town Kinfaz Lay Armacho Wegera Returnees within the zone 6,652 houses in both zones. Public-private initia- Chilga Central Gondar Gonder City Adm. West Gondar Aykel Town West Belesa East Belesa tives continue to fundraise for the rehabilitation Dembia West Dembiya Gonder Zuria

of IDPs in support of Government efforts. On Quara Takusa 16 May, the Global Alliance for Ethiopia – a lo- Alfa cal non-profit charity – donated US$1.1 million it had mobilized for the rehabilitation of IDPs in Gondar. The charity partnered with the INGO World Vision to implement rehabilitation work.

Amhara region hosted 107,097 IDPs prior to the current return operations. More than 60 per cent of the displace- ment occurred when longstanding tensions and sporadic conflict over territory between the Amhara and Qemant communities spiked in November 2018 across Central and West Gondar zones. . Out of this particular caseload, Siti

over 90 per cent have returned. The remaining IDPs were displaced from Oromia (Buno ,IDPs by woreda Jimma, Nekemt and Fafan Chinaksen Jarso (East Hararghe) 41 - 1,500 Kelem Wollega zones), Benishangul Gumuz (Kamashi zone), SNNP (BenchKombolcha Maji zone) and Somali regions since Goro Gutu Meta Doba Kersa (East Hararge) 1,501 - 4,000 Mieso October 2017. The IDPs were scattered across 11 zones of CentralDeder GondarKurfa Chele (46,430), West Gondar (7,525), South Tulo (Oromia) Goro Muti 4,001 - 10,000 Chiro Zuria Fedis Mesela Girawa Gondar (3,186), North Wollo (3750), South Wollo (1,598),Gumbi Bordede Oromo zoneBedeno (4,207), West Gojam10,001 (15,842), - 20,000 North Shoa IDPs by woreda Goba KorichaBedesa Melka Balo East Hararge Gemechis 313 - 1500 Habro Midhaga Tola Babile (Oromia) 20,001 - 51,656 (517), Waghimra (806), Awi (2,461) and East GojamAnchar (1,194). West Hararge Golo Oda 1501 - 4000 Boke Kuni Meyu Muleke 4001 - 10000 Daro Lebu Returnees by zone Daawa 10001 - 20000 The majority of the IDPs (70 per cent) are living with hostBurqua communities,Dhintu and the rest are living in temporary, Hawi Gudina 20001 - 51656 sub-standard settlement sites and require shelter and non-food item support.Kumbi Some woredas are providing medical services to IDPs and there are facilities close to the IDP sites that provide nutrition services, but their capacity is Returnees by zone highly limited. The risk of outbreak of communicable diseases is very high given the shortage of safe drinking water reported in most collective sites, the poor personal hygiene and latrine management and open defecation, coupled with poor nutritional status of the population and the sub-standard shelter condition. The overcrowded and poor living conditions also present protection risks, especially for women and girls. IDP children also don’t have access to education in most collective settlement sites. The most pressing needs articulated by IDPs is security and protection, followed by life-saving and livelihood support in the areas of retunshelter and household items.

Tigray

Tigray region hosts some 112,000 conflict IDPs across 52 woredas, 45 per cent female. The IDPs fled violence from different parts of the country, the majority (70 per cent) from Oromia and Amhara regions. The influx of IDPs into the region started in 2016 when 16,000 IDPs were displaced from Gondar area of Ahmara region. The majority of the IDPs are dispersed within the host community. Although this living arrangement is better than living in camp settings, without adequate and inclusive rehabilitation assistance, it puts a strain on the livelihood of vulnerable community members. At least 27 per cent of the population in the region fall under the poor and very poor category.

Overall, the IDPs in have not received due attention for assistance. Food assistance to the IDPs has been irregular and only 13 per cent of the IDPs have received essential non-food items support since 2016. Even though the Regional Health Bureau has circulated a letter to all Government-owned health facilities ordering that they treat IDPs free of charge, the lack of medicine and other medical supplies in the facilities force IDPs to buy ex-

6 pensive drugs from privately owned pharmacies using their meagerLege Hida resources. Without adequate

Gololcha Bale IDPs by woreda multi-sector assistance, women and children, ac- IDPs by woreda Gasera North Western Agarfa 54 - 1,500 Sinana Seweyna Eastern 23- 1,500 countingDinsho forGinir Town70 per cent of the IDPs, are exposed Ginir 1,501 - 4,000 Central Goba Town Goro (Bale) 1,501 - 4,000 to variousGoba protectionRayitu risks. Some 354,001 - per10,000 cent of Western Berbere Dawe Ketchen Bale 4,001 - 7,513 IDP children in the region are not going10,001 - 20,000 to school. Bore Harena Buluk Mekele Special Mena (Bale) Gura Damole Ana Sora 20,001 - 28,256 Girja Uraga Adola South Eastern Adola Town WaderaThere are however several private and local ad- Meda Welabu Odo Shakiso Guji Gora Dola Aga Wayu ministration-led initiatives to support the rehabil- Negele /Town/ Saba Boru itationLiben of the IDPs. For example, woreda admin- Southern Gumiistrators Idalo and other sectors are trying to support the IDPs by providing them farming plots in the South Zone and also engaging them in Income Generating Activities (IGA). Although encouraging, these initiatives are inadequate compared to the vast need. Through the initiative of the regional government, at least ETB80 million was also raised by Tigrayans in-country and abroad to support the IDPs. The primary goal of the regional government remains to repatriate the IDPs to their respective areas of origin. This has not yet materialized due to the absence of a permissive environment. The Tigray

and Oromia Gomoleregional governments have started discussions on possibilities for returns. A recently planned visit by a high-level delegation from Oromia region to Tigray region was postponed. Meanwhile, spontaneous voluntary Elwaya returns continue.Yabelo Town IDPs by woreda Arero Teltale Yabelo 54 - 1,500

1,501 - 4,000 Wachile Borena Dubluk 4,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 16,184 Dilo Dhas

Dire Moyale (Oromia) Miyo

Guchi

7